Psalm 4: David finds solitude with God.

Psalm 4
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

(1) Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

(2) How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
(3) Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

(4) Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
(5) Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.

(6) Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine on us.
(7) Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

(8) In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Solitude (noun)- the state or situation of being alone; a lonely or uninhabited place (Oxford Dictionary).

Many of David’s songs seek solitude in God. But solitude in God is not isolation or loneliness. Isolation is something forced upon someone. It’s not a choice. It’s sadness and loneliness. God does not call us into sadness. But He does call us to seek solitude with Him. In solitude is aloneness with God, a state of replenishment and of healing.

David seeks this place. When life is in upheaval around him, David sought his Father in solitude. And David had great faith in God. That God would meet him there. Always. That in his solitude and aloneness, God was present.

To king David: God is good and faithful . . . always. In good times and bad, God is good.

Wherever you are today, my friend, may you hear God’s words of love to you through David. Seek the Father’s words in the solitude of your heart where He promises to meet you.

Are you at a place in life that feels lonely? Have your children moved on or are they moving on soon? Are your parents gone? Is the tediousness of life wearing you thin?

Cry out David’s words to your Father in heaven:

Hear me, Father. Answer me, Father. Look at me, Father.

You know that feeling when you turn your face to the sun and close your eyes? Boy, do we ever crave that here in the Pacific Northwest. That light and warmth.

Let your face shine upon me, Father.

You see, whatever David was going through at this time, he pleaded with God, “Remember me, like you have before. Answer me. Hear me.” And he believed it would happen.

this is another instance of David’s common habit of pleading past mercies as a ground for current favor.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

Sure, God has been faithful to me throughout my life; I can look back and see it clearly. But He is just not listening right now! Don’t we all get caught in this?

My friends, take David’s example in this psalm and claim God’s faithfulness in whatever you are going through because He has always been there for you. If He has always been faithful, why would He stop now?

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
Psalm 4:3

David is calling himself- the Lord’s faithful servant. God’s children are His servants- striving every day to live as He calls us to live. He has set us apart from the world for Himself, like a good, good Father. And because of that, He hears us when we call to Him.

Believe this.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Need another reminder of this promise?

Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24

Okay, one more, and in this one the Lord was speaking to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. He was reassuring them that He was still there even though they were captives in a foreign land. Sounds like a pretty lonely time.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Finally, David claims the Lord’s provision on him and the people of Israel through the ancient Aaronic blessing found in the books of Numbers. Aaron was Moses’s brother and chief priest. God said to Moses that these words were to be spoken over His people:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

These words are still spoken today. Have you heard them before? They speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness. David knew this, and at another hard spot in his life, he called upon the Lord to not forget this promise.

When we are in community with our Lord, His face is upon us. Whatever you are doing today, whether home or working or teaching a classroom of kids or just your own, whether you are lonely or seeking solitude, fed up with life or basking in all good things, call upon the Lord.

Whether your day is filled with worry and dread, or calmness and peace, call upon the Lord.

And then know that His face shines upon you, like the warmth of the sun. He looks toward you, my friends, let Him give you His peace.

Father in heaven, let us seek solitude today, solitude in you. May your face shine upon us, whether we are working or playing, hurting or filled with joy, lonely or content. Thank you for the reminder of your great love now and throughout time. Help us to love all who come across our paths today. Give us enough love to share and to encourage and uplift others. When our hearts feel empty help us to remember your words of love through David: that you hear us when we call to you, and that in our aloneness, you are there. You are good and faithful and true. Thank you, Father, for your promises. Amen.

Heidi xoxo